Method for replacing the coolant in a Renault Megane II

Alternative method of replacing the coolant

According to the instructions, to replace the coolant the bumper must be removed in order to gain access to the lower radiator hose. Let us consider an alternative variant of draining the coolant.

Advantage of this method: the front bumper does not need to be removed, which considerably simplifies and speeds up the coolant replacement process.

Preparatory work

Removing the right-hand engine bay trim — **Fig. 1.** We remove the right-hand engine bay trim

Disconnecting the washer bottle filler neck — **Fig. 2.** We disconnect the clip securing the washer bottle filler neck and move the filler neck aside

Precautions: we raise the right front side of the vehicle and remove the right front wheel.

Removing the arch liner: we unscrew two screws of the side mounting of the front arch liner to the bumper, remove the clips and remove the front half of the right arch liner.

Removing the front half of the right arch liner — **Fig. 3.** We remove the front half of the right arch liner

Draining the coolant

Lifting the air conditioning receiver — **Fig. 4.** We lift the air conditioning receiver upwards so that the air conditioning pipe does not get in the way

Removing the lower hose from the expansion tank — **Fig. 5.** With the help of pliers we squeeze the clip and remove the lower hose from the expansion tank

Draining the fluid: we lower the end of the hose into a suitable container for draining about 6 litres and drain the coolant.

Draining the coolant into the container — **Fig. 6.** We lower the end of the hose into the drain container

Flushing the system: after the fluid has been completely drained, we flush the engine cooling system with water.

Fitting a new screw-type clip — **Fig. 7.** We fit a new screw-type clip

Removing air from the system

Important! Before filling with antifreeze the air bleed plugs must be unscrewed in order to remove air locks from the system.

Removing the air supply hose to the throttle body — **Fig. 8.** We loosen the two clips of the air supply hose to the throttle body and withdraw the hose

Note: depending on the recirculation system, a crankcase gas recirculation hose may be fitted on the hose — this must also be disconnected.

Unscrewing the air bleed plug — **Fig. 9.** With a flat-blade screwdriver we unscrew the air bleed plug

Removing the plug on the thermostat housing — **Fig. 10.** We squeeze the clip and remove the plug (1) on the thermostat housing

Filling with new coolant

Pouring antifreeze into the expansion tank — **Fig. 11.** We pour antifreeze through the expansion tank cap

Filling process: we pour antifreeze until the air bubbles come out through the open plugs. As soon as the air bubbles have come out, we immediately screw the plugs in.

Fluid level: after removing the air, we top up the antifreeze so that its level is above the min mark on the expansion tank (approximately halfway between min and max).

Refitting: we refit all the parts in the reverse sequence.

Check after replacement: after replacing the coolant, start the engine and warm it up to operating temperature. Make sure the radiator fan switches on and the upper radiator hose becomes hot. After the engine has cooled down, check the fluid level and top up if necessary.